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As a grown man who's suffered through so much and seen a lot more, he distinctively remembers as a child on vacation, the very first time his once little brown eyes ever saw the ocean, and the resulting emotion of awe. The body of water seemed so vast, almost never ending. At the time, the water seemed harmless. The sun beaming down, the beach crowded with people. The vast expanse of water seemed fun to play in with his older brother, as his mother waded through the surf whilst his dad lounged in a deck chair. He remembers the joy of wading, swimming and splashing, an innocent joy of enjoying nature. Now, older and much wiser and a little more grey at the temple, he understands the full nature of the beast that water can be. Dangerous, harsh and very quick to consume. The rush of violent waves eager to sweep away anything within it's path. No matter what.
This time, within the path of the beast, had been Santa Monica pier.
A pier filled with families enjoying the funfair rides, kids with faces covered in cotton candy, friends spending time together in laughter and too many selfies, co-workers escaping the office to grab lunch, many of the older generation taking in the view, painting or sketching or people watching or enjoying the company of a friendly stranger.
Another ordinary day, a beautiful day with clear blue skies and gently lapping waves... nothing to indicate the incoming disaster about to strike.
There would be no warning. No sound of alarm until too late. The waves high and wide, grow bigger and approach faster. No matter how fast one runs, there would be no escape.
Natural disasters are greatly devastating no matter the location yet when it hits so close to home, there's a difference. Familiar streets and recognisable buildings wrecked, destruction as far and wide as the eye can see.
The aftermath of any emergency is never something that ever proves an easy task to deal with. There will always be a variety of variables that have to be taken into consideration but on such a large scale event, there's always a sense of great urgency that overshadows everything else. Throughout, what will always remain important is to stay calm and focused upon the job. Their duty to protect and serve and rescue those in need, more important than ever.
Those in need this time were not victims of fire or human error but victims of harsh and violent waves that rushed forward to crash through buildings, vehicles, bystanders... anything and everything that stood in it's path was wiped out.
From the moment the alarms blared through the firehouse to signal a new emergency, all hands on deck, the 118 worked tirelessly to aid the survivors they could find and searched for the ones they couldn't. Wherever necessary, help was offered. Hours upon hours upon hours, each member performed their duty. Bodies soon began to feel weighed down with exhaustion, the cold of the water felt to their bones and yet they never faltered. They remained calm and carried on, helped wherever they could. Until the call came.
With the rise of the sun to begin a new day, another beautiful ordinary day of blue skies and a gentle breeze, the very long and hard and tiring shift finally comes to a close. With a call from Chief Alonzo, reinforcements arrive to allow those already on scene a much needed and well deserved break. The impact of the rescue mission went far beyond physical, there was the mental and emotional toll it took too. They'd seen things no one should see. So many people lost their lives with a lot of people still lost, unaccounted for with the desperate question, were they dead or alive? Desperate families search, standing alongside the countless first responders, who work through the remains of buildings, streets, hospitals and morgues looking for the answers they seek.
The scenes, devastating. So many lost, lives taken away too soon. The nature of the beast of harsh waves proved unforgiving.
After enduring hours of search and rescue; body, mind and soul exhausted, going home began to feel even more bittersweet and worthwhile. They do the job they do to help people, to serve and protect their community but doing what they do doesn't come without risks. Everyday, the 118 fight to return home. To take the uniform off and let the job go.
So when Bobby finally crosses the threshold into his home, the tension he's carried upon his shoulders slowly begins to recede. Feet barely inside the front door when the sound of his wife's voice carries through the house as she talks with the kids. Steadiness returns to his world. The smell of a late breakfast fills the air. Warm and inviting. Calm. A contrast to the unforgiving cold water he waded through and the urgency of rescues. With a slow rough exhale, the door closes behind him, the LAFD duffle bag falls from his hand to the floor with a thud before Bobby makes move downstairs.
Almost immediately, barely feet inside the living room, when Harry catches sight of his stepfather and makes a break from the kitchen across the room, to launch himself into the older man's arms.
With practiced ease, Bobby catches him, then crouched slightly so he's eye level with Harry. The fierce hug he receives, he returns ten fold with ease.
"You're home! Are you okay? I was really worried." Harry asks quickly, content in his stepfather's embrace but eager for answers. "We saw the news, it looked really bad."
"I'm okay, better now for seeing you."
Releasing the boy with a soft smile, as Harry disappears back into the kitchen, Bobby's gaze lands upon his lovely wife walking toward him. His soft smile softens even more. He opens his arms.
Eagerly, much like her son, Athena steps within the warm embrace of her husband's arms, enjoying the way his hands slide around her waist to pull her even closer against him. A happy, content sigh escapes mere moments before his mouth drops to her own in a kiss hello. The gesture soft, slow and sweet. Her hands travel to the back of his neck, where fingers slide through the damp hair at his nape. "Hey you," she murmurs against his mouth. So very glad to be home and have him home now too. Back exactly where they belong. All together. Home safe. "You smell good."
Chuckling, Bobby proceeds to kiss her again. Just because he can. "I showered at the firehouse before I left."
Pulling back what feels mere millimeters, happy to remain in his arms, Athena scrutinises him. "You look tired, baby."
"I am, I'm exhausted." He leans down slightly so he's able to bury his face in her neck, inhaling her warmth deeply. She smells like coconut from the lotion she favours and the intoxicating, enticing scent of her perfume. "I'm just happy to be home, with you and the kids. I missed you."
A soft smile blossoms across her face, her heart so incredibly full for this man. Thrilled to have him in her arms, safe and where he belongs. "We missed you too."
They stay holding each other for a few moments longer, the quiet of the house only broken by the sounds of the kids moving about in the kitchen.
"How's May?" Bobby, breaks the silence, whispering against her shoulder, still content for the moment to just stay within the embrace of his wife in the middle of their living room. Especially after the day he's had. After they've all had really.
The city and its citizens had been hit hard and everyone was reeling in the aftermath.
Athena exhales heavily. The sound answer enough.
"That good, huh?" Pulling back to look at his wife, concern for his stepdaughter swims within Bobby's warm brown eyes.
Glancing over her shoulder toward the kitchen, Atthena lowers her voice. "I'm not sure. We talked about what happened but I just-- " She shrugs, almost unsure and helpless. "I think she's okay. I mean, May reassured me that she's fine and I have to trust her."
"We do." Bobby agrees that they must place trust in their daughter to tell them how she feels and if she's struggling. "May will be just fine. She's her mother's daughter, and much stronger than she realises." Bobby kisses Athena again, gentle and with reassurance of his own. "May knows she can come to us for anything."
"I know, I just worry." Athena sighs.
"And that's why you're a great mother." Bobby smiles lovingly, hands squeeze gently at her hips. "Now tell me Sergeant, how are you?"
"How am I?"
"Yes, you." Bobby stares her down. The memory sharp in his mind of her at the hospital, hands and uniform covered in blood. Thankfully, not her own. He remembers the way his heart plummeted at the sight before the explanation came. "Don't pretend like you don't know exactly what I'm talking about."
The good Sergeant knows exactly what he's talking about. Thankfully, hours later after the horrific scene, the turbulent emotions that were rolling around inside her then, have now calmed significantly. Will she ever forget the experience of cutting off a man's arm? Never. Will she ever not hear the sound of his screams? No. But doing what she'd done had been a means to an end. A necessary act in order to save someone's life. Unpleasant, yes but greatly needed. There'd been no help to call, because help wasn't coming. In that situation, she was all the help there could be.
"You don't need to worry about me too, I promise." Athena tells him, truthfully. "I'm fine, Bobby. I'll admit, not the most pleasant experience to go through but necessary to save a man's life."
"When I saw you earlier, you looked rattled-- I just wanted to check in and make sure you're okay."
Her sweet, darling man. "I'll admit I was a little shook up but looking back, I know I'd do the same thing again if it meant saving a life." Athena leans up to kiss him. "And I appreciate you checking in. Its sweet."
"Always."
After a momentary pause, Athena changes the subject. "Have you eaten?"
"I haven't, beside a granola bar and protein shake. We didn't get much opportunity what with the team going from one scene to another so quickly." Bobby admits, realising now just how hungry he actually is. "Breakfast smells good."
Stepping back, her hand slips into his to lead the way back toward the kitchen. "I hope you're hungry. We couldn't decide between waffles or pancakes, so we settled for both."
"That sounds perfect." Very early in their relationship, between their first and second date, had been the moment he'd first learned of Athena's weakness for waffles, when they'd met up for breakfast at a little family run diner after a long shift. Then over four months later, barely two weeks after officially meeting the kids for the very first time, he learnt May and Harry preferred pancakes. The memory of making them breakfast for the first time sends a rush of warmth right through him. Shaking himself from his trip down memory lane, happy now to be lead into the kitchen, Bobby observes Harry setting the table as May stands in front of the refrigerator, staring blankly inside.
Sharing a glance with his wife, both look on with worry at their daughter who seems worlds away. No doubt, nowhere happy.
"May, sweetheart--"
Snapping out of her daze at the sound of her mother's soft voice, May finally realises and acknowledges his arrival. Shutting the fridge door, she turns toward her stepfather. A look of absolute relief evident across her young face at the sight of him. "You're here."
Doesn't matter how many times this occurrence happens, the happiness and relief these kids feel when he comes home after shift, never ceases to amaze him. There's a deep ache within his chest that speaks of being undeserving of their concern and love, but these kids... no matter how the past makes him feel, they have wormed their way effortlessly and deeply into his heart and he loves them, like his own. These kids have an unique ability to chase away the darkness. Just like their mother. "Yeah, I just got home."
"I'm really glad you're okay," the girl says quietly, "I was really worried."
"I was worried about you too, and your brother and Mom." Bobby replies, matching her quiet tone. "But we're all home, safe and sound."
Despite the truth within her stepfather's words, her mind thrusts her back into the memory of events from earlier that day. The memory slams into her abruplty, because for a time, they weren't safe and sound. Glancing away from her stepfather, May stares down at her hands, almost as though the blood from earlier still stains her skin.
The haunted look which drifts across the teenager's face is unmistakable, both Bobby and Athena witness it.
Reaching out to squeeze Athena's hand, Bobby steps forward to hopefully banish away the lingering ghost of today. "Hey-- May?" When the girl looks up with such sad eyes that instantly make his heart ache, opening his arms wide, May readily steps into them. Hugging her close, Bobby's a little surprised by the fierceness of her hug in return. She squeezes him tightly. Like she's anchoring herself to the here and now and the steadiness of his embrace, instead of earlier where all she felt was afraid and panicked in the uncertainty of responsibility for having another life in her hands. "It's never easy and it will never be okay-- but you did so good today, May. I'm proud of you, sweetheart."
Burrowing further into his embrace, May takes comfort from the man who's quickly become a second dad to her. A man she trusts to love and guide her, through the good times and bad. "I was so scared."
Complete understanding exists for her perspective, Bobby nods. "It is scary. Even for your Mom and I, we feel that way everyday but it's part of the job. Today, you experienced a moment of what we deal with for the very first time and it isn't always easy to shake it off afterward."
"But I'm not like you and mom..."
"Maybe not. The life we chose as first responders isn't for everyone. Many on the outside don't understand how or why we do what we do."
Despite being worded slightly different, Athena's transported back in time to a beautiful church with high vaulted ceilings, stunning stain glass that reflected pretty colours across the alter as sunlight streamed in and rows of dark wooden pews. She recalls the steadiness she felt sitting close beside him, the ease of conversation, the rush of warmth at his smile and the attraction she struggled to suppress down. She remembers easily his nervousness as they stopped beside her patrol car and he asked her out to dinner, and the ease in which she said yes. A moment that changed her life. The memory fades and reality slides harshly back into focus at the sound of her daughter's next words.
"I keep seeing her when I close my eyes, like her blood is still on my hands."
May's softly spoken words instantly remind Bobby of Buck, when the young man had lost Devon on the roller-coaster ride. "Buck asked me once does it get easier and I said no, because it doesn't. The positive of today though, you saved that women's life and that has to count for something. She gets to go home to her family because of you, because you didn't give up even when you were scared."
Nodding against his chest, May absorbs his warmth and reassurance.
"You did so good, May. Remember that."
"Thanks Bobby." May pulls away and offers a smile up at him, feeling a little better about the situation. The memories of what happened earlier are to fresh and raw but in time, they'll fade and she'll come to realise the good she done that day.
The scene unfolds before her and Athena observes how gently her husband interacts with her daughter. Watches how he acknowledges her struggles to then offer reassurance and praise, whilst holding her tight. A father's embrace, loving, safe and reassuring. It's another moment in a very long line of moments where his obvious love and concern for her children are on full display. With every moment she witnesses, she falls further in love with the man. Deep enough already, further seemed impossible and yet, it keep happening.
Turning around as May goes back to the fridge to collect fruit, Bobby finds Athena staring at him, a soft smile on her face and wonder in her eyes. "What?"
"Nothing, absolutely nothing." Stepping closer, Athena slides her arms around him. Her lips quick to find his. "I love you, husband."
Wrapping her tighter and closer within arms, Bobby smiles. "I love you too, wife."
Across the room still setting the table, Harry huffs. The sight of his parents kissing a common sight. "Are you done kissing? I wanna eat my pancakes without catching cooties."
Rolling her eyes, Athena steps out of her husband's embrace, his chuckle echoing in hers ears.
This may just be another quiet day in the Grant-Nash household but this, right here, is the reason why they fight so hard everyday to come home safe.
For this.
For family and for love.
The end.
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